The flames of dark energy propelled Yu Zhou forward with incredible force.
Bam!
Clenching his fists, he slammed straight into the sweeping massive tentacle.
But against Ythogtha, this impact was negligible.
Yu Zhou was sent flying again, tracing a parabolic arc before plunging into the sea.
The tentacle, deflected by his collision, swung slightly off course.
Smack!
Charija, riding his Zoiger, sped skilfully enough to avoid the sweeping tentacle.
However, the EAGLE jet piloted by Shinjou wasn't so lucky. Its wing was struck, smoke billowing as it plummeted into the sea.
"Shinjou!"
Kokui and Munakata, aboard another fighter, gasped at the sight.
"Shinjou!"
Even the rest of the Victory Team was anxious, unsure how to react.
Inside the EAGLE, Shinjou cursed his own piloting skills as a so-called ace. Then he hit the emergency escape button.
Whoosh! He shot out of the seat and deployed his parachute mid-air.
"Phew…"
The others exhaled in relief when Shinjou landed safely.
But the vast ocean below offered nothing but water—his landing spot was still the middle of nowhere.
All around, thick black mist swirled across the sea.
"Go rescue Shinjou!"
Munakata barked orders, realizing he couldn't leave Shinjou in the water.
"Understood!"
The team nodded and descended toward the ocean.
Splash!
The waters churned violently as a silver-and-black giant shot upward.
Yu Zhou grabbed the descending Shinjou with one hand and beckoned to Charija in the sky with the other.
Seeing the gesture, Charija didn't hesitate. He rode his Zoiger over to meet them.
"Shinjou's in your hands now, Charija."
Yu Zhou placed Shinjou beside Charija, on the Zoiger's back, and gave a nod.
"No problem," Charija replied, willing to help without hesitation.
Yu Zhou acknowledged him and turned back toward Ythogtha, readying his stance.
The Colour Timer on his chest flickered—a warning of low energy.
For the first time in his dark form, Yu Zhou saw the red alert. He could feel his dark energy within him nearing depletion.
There was black mist on the ocean surface, but compared to Ythogtha's direct attacks, it was too sparse.
Even if he absorbed it, it would take too long. It was far slower than the "energy gift" Ythogtha had been sending him directly.
Still, every little bit counted. Yu Zhou aimed for the mist, hoping to recharge a bit.
Just as he dove, Ythogtha seemed to sense it. Its tentacles lashed across the ocean surface, preventing any chance of energy recovery.
"This guy's getting smart," Yu Zhou muttered.
His Colour Timer continued to flash. Even if he fired one more ultimate attack, it wouldn't be enough to finish the giant.
Then, a slit opened in the dark clouds above. A beam of light shone through.
Yu Zhou's eyes lit up.
"Finally, it's here!"
The light was the Artificial Sun, delivered by the Super Victory Team from Jupiter!
Behind the Artificial Sun, the Super Victory Team piloted the Artdessei ship, slowly advancing toward the battlefield.
ROOOOAAAARR!
Ythogtha seemed irritated by the sunlight. Its crimson eye focused energy, aiming at the Artificial Sun and Artdessei.
Yu Zhou had no choice—this artificial sun was critical to the battle's outcome. If Ythogtha destroyed it, he had to stop it.
He shot upward, erecting an Ultraman Barrier between Ythogtha and the sun.
The crimson beam from Ythogtha's eye shot straight toward the Artificial Sun.
Yu Zhou's barrier intercepted it, though the force of the blast pushed him diagonally upward.
Thankfully, the barrier held, maintaining a tense standoff.
"Look! Tiga's blocking the attack!"
The Super Victory Team on Artdessei cheered, both surprised and relieved.
Without Tiga's defence, the team might have suffered a third casualty already.
But seeing the Dark Tiga hold steady gave them hope.
Following Captain Hibiki's orders, Artdessei accelerated, pushing the Artificial Sun forward. Its light illuminated the sea, piercing through the darkness.
Yu Zhou clung to the Ultraman Barrier. Ythogtha continued firing red beams without restraint.
They were locked in a tense standoff.
"Yu Zhou said the Artificial Sun is crucial to this battle," Masaki said, watching the Super Victory Team on the screen from R'lyeh's coast.
"Because of the light?" Daigo asked, confused.
"I'm not sure, but we need to return to the battlefield," Masaki replied, pulling out his transformation device.
"That's right—Yu Zhou's energy is almost gone," Asuka agreed.
Seeing how strained Yu Zhou was, Camilla and the others nodded, preparing to assist.
They said goodbye to Kirino, transforming into streaks of light as they flew to the battlefield.
Even after transforming, their Colour Timers continued to flicker. Energy did not recover just by putting on their suits.
That was scientifically accurate.
Glancing back at the Artificial Sun and Artdessei, Yu Zhou quickly dispersed his fracturing Ultraman Barrier, leaning back to dodge Ythogtha's crimson beam.
The beam, no longer blocked, shot straight into the sky.
But the Artificial Sun had already moved—its rays were wasted.
Ding-dong, ding-dong…
Yu Zhou's Colour Timer flickered wildly. Sustaining the Ultraman Barrier, like firing beams, consumed energy.
After everything he had done, Yu Zhou felt it—every last drop of his internal power was gone.